Page 30

Chapter thirty

Landon

Bay Area News 5 – Landon Beaumont’s season is uncharacteristic for a few reasons. He is now the Sentinels’ leading scorer but has decreased his scores off the field. Has San Jose’s heartthrob finally settled down?

Keala giggled as she pulled away from Landon the next day, her lips swollen and her eyes alight, tipping into the green side of hazel. “I just came over to give your containers back and see if you need me to look you over after that game.”

“Yes, please. I’ll take off all my clothes and you can look me over.” Landon pulled his shirt over his head, and Keala laughed again.

“You played so well that nobody could tackle you. I’m sure you don’t have a scratch on you, and if you do, the team trainers probably already helped.”

Landon smiled at the praise that came so easily from her lips. “You’re the one who said you wanted to look me over, so you’d better double-check.” He picked her up and set her on his couch, then put his arms on either side of her. “But I need to check something first.”

Landon lowered his body so his lips met hers, and he could feel that she was still smiling into the kiss.

“I don’t want to be gone for Thanksgiving. I don’t like the idea of you being by yourself,” he said against her lips.

“I’ll be fine. I have a shift tomorrow when you guys leave, and then I’ll watch the game with the girls. It’ll be fun. And then you can make it up to me when you get back.”

“Damn do I like the sound of that.” He kissed her again, taking advantage of her giggle to slip his tongue into her mouth. After a few kisses, Keala bit his bottom lip. Landon groaned, and she wrapped her legs around him, pulling his hips so they slotted perfectly against hers.

A knock sounded, and Landon grumbled but didn’t move away. Keala pulled back slightly, smiling up at him, and with her hair around her head on the couch, she looked like a princess.

When he still didn’t move, she whispered, “It’s probably Ikaika getting back from the facility. We have to do better about the three of us hanging out more. I feel like he’s missing us.”

“He’s had you your whole life. I just got you.” He leaned down, but as soon as their lips touched, the knock sounded again, more insistent.

“I’m busy,” he called out loudly. Through a small laugh, Keala pulled him on top of herself and then rolled them off the couch before Landon realized what was happening. He let out a whoosh of air as he hit the ground, absorbing the impact for the both of them. “Keeks, what the hell?”

“I had to get you up one way or another.”

“Trust me, I didn’t need you to do anything else to get me up—I was plenty ready.”

She rolled her eyes, standing. “Put your shirt on.”

“You’re paying for that later.”

Keala walked to the door, winking at him over her shoulder. “Good.”

She was getting so confident around him, and Landon wondered if that meant something. Maybe her other relationships hadn’t worked because she’d spent every free minute trying to make them happy, but Landon didn’t need anything but her—exactly as she was—to be happy.

Landon chuckled, pulling his shirt on as Keala opened the door.

“Sorry, I was just giving Landon his—oh.”

When Landon leaned to see who was in the doorway, he noticed his sister, grinning ear to ear and waggling her eyebrows at him.

“Hi! I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, sorry.”

Keala cleared her throat. “Oh, no, not at all. Like I was saying, I was returning some containers Landon lent me.”

Maya smirked at Landon. “Yes, and I imagine that’s why his shirt is on inside out and backward.”

“Landon,” Keala hissed when she noticed, frowning at him. He wanted to kick his sister out immediately for ruining what they’d been about to do.

But he had also missed her dearly, and she was his most favorite family member.

“Hey, Mai. This is Keala. Keala, this is my sister, Maya, who apparently is allowed to roam about the building.”

Maya smiled coyly. “I sweet-talked Richard.”

Keala’s eyes widened as she realized. “Oh! It’s so nice to meet you. Landon didn’t tell me you were in town or I would’ve made something.”

Landon snorted. When Keala whipped around to glare at him, he made quick work of fixing his shirt.

After Keala and Maya exchanged pleasantries, Keala said, “I can head out. My cousin is probably waiting for me anyway.” She pointed across the hall.

“Oh, please don’t go! I’d love to talk more.”

Keala looked at Landon, and he smiled reassuringly. Hesitantly, she replied, “I can stay for a bit.”

“Maya, are you hungry?” he asked, moving into his kitchen.

“I could eat.”

Landon pulled ingredients out of his fridge. Normally, they’d have Tuesday completely off, but because of their Thursday game, he’d been at the facility until half an hour ago. He’d left while most of his teammates, Ikaika included, had stayed back for food.

Maya and Keala sat across the large island from him on the barstools his interior designer had found for him earlier this month, when Keala had started spending more time at his apartment.

“Again, I’m sorry to just drop by. Typically, our family gets together to celebrate our mother at the start of November, but we’ve all been so busy this year that it got pushed to December. And though I always want to come to Landon’s games, this season has been busy for me at work. With his game on Thanksgiving, I figured I could stop by for a few hours since I was in LA.”

“What do you do?” Keala asked politely, and Landon could see the gears turning in her head, trying to get his sister on her good side. He wished she’d stop doing that and let everyone see the version of her he got to see.

He grabbed a cutting board and knife and began chopping while they talked.

“I run a charity that coaches tennis to underprivileged kids.”

“That’s so exciting. Is it based out of LA?”

“Originally, yes. But we’ve since expanded to a ton of cities, and I’m working out of Charleston now.”

“I bet that’s so much fun.”

“Yeah, it’s nice. I get to see Colton more often than I used to, and my boyfriend is on the Sabertooths, so it’s perfect.” Landon tried to focus on chopping the vegetables and not on the sinking feeling in his chest that he couldn’t fully comprehend. It lightened when Maya continued. “I wish I could clone myself and be in two places at once though. It stinks missing so many of Landon’s games.”

Keala looked at him, and rather than sympathy, he saw something akin to an are you okay? His heart shoved at its seams. Without having to express to her how he felt, she knew.

“It’s crazy that your brother and boyfriend are on the same team. Is that weird?”

“Not really. It’s how we met, actually. That’s how you both met too, right?”

“Oh, we’re not—”

“Yes.” Landon smirked at Keala as she blushed. “Ikaika is her cousin. I think you met him once. One of my closest friends. Lives across the hall.”

Maya nodded. “Right! Is he home? I have to get back to Charleston tomorrow morning, but we should go out tonight!”

Keala looked at Landon worriedly. He was sure she was apprehensive about someone besides Ikaika knowing about them, but Maya wouldn’t tell anyone if he asked her not to.

“We’re not allowed to talk, let alone hook up.” The words rolled off his tongue oddly. Minimizing what they were doing to “hooking up” felt like a betrayal to the strength of emotions he felt when he was with Keala. He was too scared to see her reaction, so he focused on the food.

“Ah, forbidden relationships. I know something about that.” Maya laughed.

Landon tossed her a small smile. “That’s because Cooper was Colton’s friend first.”

Maya’s grin widened. “Yes, but he’s mine last.” Landon wondered if Cooper would finally ask her to marry him now that he and Colton were planning to retire after the season and her charity was fully operational. Cooper had asked Landon over two years ago for his blessing to propose to Maya, so it was about time. Although, knowing his sister, he had probably asked many times and she was waiting for life to be perfect before she said yes.

Maya turned to Keala. “So, tell me about you .”

They all laughed, and Keala talked about working at the hospital and cheering for the team. His sister was having a grand time getting to know Keala, and Landon listened carefully as he made stuffed bell peppers for them. He needed to make sure Maya didn’t say anything that might reveal how deep his feelings for Keala ran.

When the food was finished, he put a portion onto three plates and then stood across from them as they ate.

“Any plans for dining chairs so you don’t have to stand while you eat?” Maya asked.

Landon’s eyes met Keala’s, grinning when he saw her blush. The last time he’d used the table had been with her. He shrugged. “I spend so much time across the hall that I barely need furniture. I certainly don’t have enough people over to need dining chairs.”

Maya smiled slyly, looking between the two of them. “Oh yeah? Spend a lot of time at her apartment, do ya?”

“Maya, you’re making my guest uncomfortable.”

Keala covered her mouth and shook her head frantically. “No, no, I’m fine! It’s funny. And plus, it’s mostly to see Ikaika. I just happen to live there.”

“It’s not mostly to see Ikaika and you know it, Keeks.”

The room quieted as she smiled into her food.

Maya slapped the granite countertop of the island, startling Keala. Landon frowned, not liking the look on his sister’s face as she began speaking. “I don’t know how serious you two are but—”

“We’re n-not—”

“But,” his sister continued, cutting Keala’s disagreement off, “it would be great to have you at our mother’s celebration of life. We’re doing it in LA this year at our grandparents’ house. You can meet Colton and his wife Lucia, who”—she put a hand up to block Landon’s view of her mouth, whispering—“is my favorite sibling. And their baby girl. Cooper will be there. Luckily our dad will not be.” Maya looked meaningfully at Landon. He still frowned, his eyes flicking to see Keala’s reaction.

Keala glanced at him, then back to his sister. “This seems like a family thing, so I think that would be an intrusion, but thank you for the invite.”

“Not an intrusion at all. The more the merrier. Our family will love you, and if you’re worried about the whole no-fraternization thing, Landon seems to have gotten better at flying under the radar for someone who was plastered all over the news three months ago. It’ll be very private at the house.”

His sister had been paying attention. Or maybe his lack of media presence was just that obvious. He’d had no reason to look for attention elsewhere when Keala had been treating him like a regular person more than almost anyone else in his life.

“Nothing with Colton or Cooper is ever private,” Landon grumbled.

“Cooper will make sure it is,” Maya said, and again, he knew there was a greater meaning to it after what they’d endured a couple of years ago.

Keala looked to him, whether for permission or an out, he didn’t know. “It’s up to you, Keeks.”

Maya put her hand up. “Fair warning that I’m very stubborn and will likely badger you until you say yes.”

He wanted Keala there, but he also didn’t want her to feel pressured, especially since this was a big ask for someone he wasn’t dating. And yes, Maya was stubborn, but if Keala agreed to it now and didn’t want to go, he would make sure she didn’t have to. He hoped she knew that.

“What days?” Keala asked.

“December tenth and eleventh.” Maya was beaming like she’d already won, and when Keala checked her calendar and nodded, her smile widened further.

“I can move my shifts around that week.”

“Perfect.” Maya pulled out her phone. “And let me give you my number while we’re at it.”

“Maya,” Landon warned. “Please stop pestering my…” He trailed off, unable to find the right word. Keala waved him off with a smile.

He’d wanted to call her his girlfriend, which was a first. He wanted her to be his in every sense of the word, even if the thought sent adrenaline coursing through his body in panic.

When they’d finished exchanging numbers, Maya excused herself to use the bathroom and Keala stood, heading to the sink to rinse the dishes. Landon set a hand on hers, turning off the water. “Stop. I’ll clean up.”

“But you cooked.”

“And I’ll clean.” He smiled down at her and whispered, “Don’t you know I like cooking for you? It’s a privilege, not a burden.”

Her smile mirrored his own.

As she began to turn away, he tugged her back, putting his arms around her shoulders. “And if you don’t want to come to my mom’s celebration, don’t feel like you have to. I can make excuses for you. My sister will live.”

“Do you want me to come?”

“I don’t want you to make a decision based on what I want.”

“But it would be very embarrassing if I said yes and you didn’t want me to tag along. I don’t want to be embarrassed.”

“I would never allow that. And if it helps you decide to come”—he tugged her hair gently so she looked into his eyes—“because you genuinely want to, then yes. Of course I want you to come.” He wanted to show her the house he’d grown up in, even if it had its share of bad memories. He wanted to show her the field he’d practiced on as a kid and the place he and Maya used to sneak out to eat at, though the food was lacking in many ways.

Landon just wasn’t sure how much she wanted that.

“Okay. I’ll come. But we have to be careful. Maybe take separate flights or something.”

His stomach did a victory flip. Or it could have been nerves. “Sure, whatever you want.”

They heard Maya’s footsteps as she came back toward the kitchen, and he let Keala go when it was clear she wanted to move away.

“I’m sure Ikaika’s back by now, so I’m going to get going. Maya, it was so nice to meet you and I’m excited to see you again.” She turned to Landon. “I’ll see you after the game. Kick Seattle’s ass.” She hugged Maya before walking out.

“No goodbye kiss for my brother? I don’t mind looking away,” Maya called after Keala, and Landon shoved her. Luckily, Keala pretended not to hear her, closing the door as she left.

“Would you stop it? She’s agreed to a lot by saying she’ll come to Mom’s thing.”

“You’re welcome, by the way. I did all the work, and now all you have to do is not fuck it up.”

“Who said I wanted her to come?” he asked, knowing it came out entirely devoid of emotion to insinuate the opposite.

Maya rolled her eyes. “Don’t be an idiot. It’s so obvious. I’ve literally never seen you like this in my life. I’m glad things are going better than the last time we talked about her.”

“I mean, we’re still in agreement that it’s just physical.”

Maya scoffed. “Then you’re both in denial. I saw you interact. You’re disgustingly into each other, and though she seemed hesitant to tell me too much about herself, I can tell she’s good for you. You seem happy.”

Landon didn’t want to hope that his sister was right. The thought of being able to be with Keala, truly be with her, made his heart soar.

“I am, but I’ve never done this before. I don’t know what’s happening or what to say to get her to see I want more, and even if we do get to that point, what if I do something dumb and…” He looked away.

“You have to stop worrying that you’re going to disappoint everyone, Landon. You’re sure as hell never going to make everyone happy, but you can do your best to make her happy—and make yourself happy in the process. Don’t do something dumb now with the hope that it’ll prevent you from doing something dumb when things are good.”

Landon turned around, rinsing the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. He loved his sister, but he still wasn’t at a point where he could talk about this so freely. He couldn’t reconcile his own emotions about it all. “God, you’re so preachy now that you’re in love.”

“I know! Isn’t it fun?” She plopped back onto the bar stool. “Now you owe me for inviting Keala to Mom’s celebration, and I’m cashing in. You’re going to have that conversation with Colton.”

“I already said I would.”

“Good. I don’t want to have to get Cooper to kick both of your asses. I don’t care if I have to mediate or if you attempt to tear each other’s throats out, we’re putting it to bed this year. No more family division.”

“I knew you didn’t come here just to see me.”

Maya smiled.

And a pit of dread opened up inside Landon. He didn’t know if it was because of his situation with Keala or the impending hell that would be talking to his brother.